A brake hub assembly for a washing machine transmission includes an input shaft, a brake hub, and a deformable isolator insert positioned between the shaft and the hub. The insert includes a plurality of substantially flat legs extending partially into an opening in the brake hub. The legs are deformed by the input shaft when the shaft is positioned within the brake hub. The legs of the isolator insert separate the hub and the shaft and prevent them from rattling.
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7. A hub assembly for a washing machine transmission, said hub assembly comprising:
a brake hub defining an opening therethrough, and a plurality of ribs extending radially inward from an interior surface of said brake hub;
an input shaft defining a plurality of grooves within an exterior surface of said input shaft, with said input shaft positioned within said opening, each groove of said plurality of grooves configured to receive a corresponding rib of said plurality of ribs; and
an isolator insert comprising a plurality of resilient legs, each leg of said plurality of legs extending at least partially into said brake hub opening between said brake hub and said input shaft and between adjacent ribs of said plurality of ribs.
1. A hub assembly for a washing machine transmission, said hub assembly comprising:
a brake hub defining an opening therethrough, a plurality of ribs extending radially inward from an interior surface of said brake hub;
an isolator insert comprising a plurality of legs, said isolator insert positioned at least partially within said brake hub opening, each leg of said plurality of legs configured to extend through said opening and between adjacent ribs of said plurality of ribs with said isolator insert inserted into said brake hub; and
an input shaft defining a plurality of grooves within an exterior surface of said input shaft, each groove of said plurality of grooves configured to receive a corresponding rib of said plurality of ribs.
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This invention relates generally to brake hub and transmission assemblies and, more particularly, to a brake hub assembly for a washing machine transmission.
A washing machine transmission typically includes a cylindrical input shaft and a brake hub. The input shaft generally includes a plurality of grooves on its exterior surface, and the brake hub includes a generally circular opening to receive the input shaft. The brake hub further includes a plurality of ribs that extend into the opening. In operation, the ribs of the brake hub selectively engage the grooves of the input shaft to decelerate, or brake, the spinning input shaft during a wash cycle.
When braking the hub input shaft, the brake hub and input shaft may rattle due to gaps, or spaces, between the shaft and hub. If the brake hub and input shaft are fabricated to very tight tolerances to reduce rattle, appreciable time and dexterity is required to properly assemble the input shaft into the brake hub. In addition, such small manufacturing tolerances tend to increase manufacturing costs. Given the large volume of washing machines manufactured, even a small increase in manufacturing time and costs per machine leads to significant costs.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a brake hub assembly for a washing machine that eliminates rattle between the brake hub and the input shaft during braking, yet does not require a tight fit between the hub and the shaft.
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a brake hub assembly for a washing machine includes an input shaft, a brake hub, and a deformable insert positioned between the brake hub and the shaft. The insert isolates the hub from the shaft which reduces, if not eliminates, rattle between the hub and the shaft. The insert also forms a tight fit between the hub and the shaft.
The brake hub includes a generally circular interior surface that defines an opening, and a plurality of ribs that extend into the opening. The deformable insert includes a plurality of substantially flat legs connected by a ring. The insert is fabricated from a resilient material and fits within the brake hub opening. The insert legs extend between adjacent ribs of the brake hub. The input shaft includes a generally circular exterior surface and a plurality of grooves.
During assembly, the deformable insert is positioned within the brake hub. The input shaft is then positioned within the insert so that the grooves of the input shaft receive the ribs of the brake hub. The insert legs deform around the input shaft and place a load on both the input shaft and the brake hub. The legs also separate the input shaft from the brake hub. Since the shaft and the hub are separated, no rattling sound occurs during operation of the washing machine.
Input shaft 12 includes a generally cylindrical exterior surface 18 and a number of grooves 20. Each groove 20 includes a base 22 and two substantially perpendicular sides 24. Grooves 20 extend inward toward a center 26 of input shaft 12. Input shaft 12 is connected to a motor (not shown) that rotates shaft 12 during operation of a washing machine (not shown).
Brake hub 14 includes a generally cylindrical interior surface 28 that defines a substantially circular opening 30. Opening 30 extends through brake hub 14. Brake hub 14 also includes ribs 32 that project into opening 30. Each rib 32 includes a face 34 and two sides 36 substantially perpendicular to face 34. Brake hub opening 30 is dimensioned to receive input shaft 12 so that each rib 32 extends within a respective groove 20. In an alternative embodiment, greater or fewer than six ribs and grooves as illustrated are used to engage the shaft and the hub. In further alternative embodiments, alternative shapes to the three-sided generally rectangular ribs and grooves are employed.
Isolator insert 16 is fabricated from a resilient plastic and includes a plurality of legs 38 connected to a ring 40. Legs 38 are substantially flat, extend linearly from ring 40, and have a rectangular cross sectional shape. Ring 40 includes a plurality of flares 42 that project from ring 40 between adjacent legs 38. Flares 42 contact a top 44 of ribs 32 when legs 38 are approximately centered between adjacent ribs 32 of brake hub 14 and prevent insert 16 from slipping through brake hub opening 30. In the embodiment illustrated in
Each leg 38 includes a free distal end 46 and a proximal end 48 that is connected to ring 40. A number of tabs 50 project outwardly from distal end 46 of each leg 38. Tabs 50 engage a bottom 52 of brake hub 14 and prevent separation of isolator insert 16 and brake hub 14. Tabs 50 and ring 40 are sufficiently separated so that when isolator insert 16 is fully inserted into brake hub opening 30, tabs 50 contact bottom 52 of brake hub 14 and ring 40 is adjacent a top 54 of brake hub 14. Tabs 50 maintain isolator insert 16 within brake hub 14. While the embodiment shown in
Isolator insert 16 is fabricated of molded plastic or other suitable material sufficiently resilient to separate brake hub 14 from input shaft 12, while still allowing relatively easy positioning of input shaft 12 into isolator insert 16 and brake hub 14. Additionally, the resilient deformation of legs 38 allows a variance in the relative dimensions of brake hub 14 and input shaft 12 while preventing rattling therebetween. Further, due to the load that deflected legs 38 place on shaft 12 and hub 14, close manufacturing tolerances may be relaxed and an acceptable fit may still be achieved between brake hub 14 and input shaft 12.
A method for assembling hub assembly 10 includes inserting isolator insert 16 into brake hub 14 with flat legs 38 extending between adjacent ribs 32 of brake hub 14. Legs 38 are inserted into brake hub opening 30 until tabs 50 at distal ends 46 of legs 38 extend through opening 30 and engage bottom 52 of hub 14. Tabs 50 lock insert 16 to brake hub 14 and prevent isolator insert 16 and brake hub 14 from separating. In addition, flares 42 of insert ring 40 are positioned adjacent rib tops 44. Input shaft 12 is then positioned within opening 30 with grooves 20 engaging ribs 32 of brake hub 14. Input shaft 12 contacts legs 38 of insert 16, causing legs 38 to deform within brake hub 14. Input shaft 12 is thus separated from brake hub 14 and rattling therebetween is prevented.
While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.
Ismail, Mahmoud Fariz, Dooley, Eddie Woodrow
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Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Jan 10 2000 | General Electric Company | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Apr 19 2002 | DOOLEY, EDDIE WOODROW | General Electric Company | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 013331 | /0553 | |
Apr 29 2002 | ISMAIL, MAHMOUD FARIZ | General Electric Company | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 013331 | /0553 | |
Jun 06 2016 | General Electric Company | Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 038965 | /0617 |
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